Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

What does Marquis Wen mean by this?

Qian Guan forced a smile, concealing the panic in his eyes, and feigned confusion.

【"well."】

You glance at him sideways: "You should understand that I can tolerate you accepting benefits from wealthy merchants and gentry, but I cannot accept favoritism for personal gain, much less accept bribes at the expense of the people."

"Of course I know."

Suppressing his inner turmoil, Qian Guan bowed and said with a fawning smile, "Lord Wen sets an example of integrity and incorruptibility, which we all take as our standard. We are terrified of our shortcomings."

You shook your head without speaking, then rose and walked into the mansion.

[Arriving at a secluded spot by the artificial hill in the garden, push open the hidden door, enter the secret passage, and arrive at a secret room.]

Qian Guan staggered behind you, his face ashen.

Seeing that you've even figured out the exact location, it's clear that any attempt to deny it will be useless.

The secret chamber was inlaid with luminous pearls, shining as brightly as day, which accentuated the dazzling brilliance of the precious jewels, gold, and silver ornaments on the shelves.

The room was filled with money and treasures, piled up like mountains.

"This is so much of the people's hard-earned money..."

"This...this..."

Qian Guan's face turned deathly pale, then he waved his hand and cursed angrily.

"Damn it! Who! Who put these vulgar things in my residence to frame me? It must be a frame-up! An attempt to harm loyal officials and frame honest people!"

"Lord Wen is a wise man!"

Your gaze grew cold as you watched his hysterical sophistry.

The anger on Qian Guan's face suddenly vanished, replaced by fear and panic that crushed his back, leaving him on the verge of tears.

Finally, with a thud, he knelt down and begged desperately.

"Lord Wen, I was wrong. I was bewitched, greedy, and blinded by ignorance..."

"Please have mercy on me this time. I promise I'll never do it again."

[Qian Guan, tears streaming down his face, cried out, "I haven't spent a single penny of this money, I haven't dared to spend a single penny... It's all here."]

His expression was one of deep regret and despair as he choked back tears as he spoke.

"Ever since I took it, I've been afraid. I'm afraid the Censorate will come knocking on my door one day, and I'm afraid Marquis Wen will come with his sword to punish me. But once I did it the first time, I just couldn't stop..."

You coldly observe their wailing and heart-wrenching cries.

"I know that clear water has no fish, and I have already left you a path to wealth for the powerful and wealthy. Why are you still so greedy and want to reach out to the common people?"

[Qian Guan gave a bitter laugh, then choked back tears: "It's not easy to collect money from powerful families. Once you take it, you have to do favors, and doing favors means you'll be biased. At that point, not only Marquis Wen and Wu Yangui, but even the King of Chu will want to execute me."]

"The people's money is different; once it's taken, they just grit their teeth and endure it, working even harder..."

"And I just turned a blind eye."

"The wealthy landowners will naturally squeeze out their share of the profits. I get 70%, they get 30%, it's a huge profit with no investment, I... I can't stand it..."

Your eyes were icy as you looked at Qian Guan, who was weeping bitterly, and you used those words as a matter-of-fact excuse to beg for mercy.

[The tone was cold: "Take it."]

Several undercover agents appeared in a flash and arrested Qian Guan.

He struggled violently, shouting, "Let me go! I want to see the King of Chu! Let me go!"

"Wen Yu! You can't arrest me! What right do you have to arrest me?!"

"I am a founding hero! I have rendered meritorious service to the State of Chu! What's wrong with me accumulating some wealth?!"

"After fighting for so many years, risking the lives of your entire family in rebellion, and finally succeeding, why can't you enjoy the fruits of your labor!"

Qian Guan's eyes widened, and he roared furiously.

"You're being incredibly heartless! I demand to see the King of Chu!"

You ignored his roar and signaled the spy to take him away.

The news that the residence of Qian Guan, the Minister of Revenue, had been seized by the Censorate quickly spread throughout the Chu court.

Suddenly, a climate of fear and unease gripped the city; everyone lived in fear.

[After you were enfeoffed as Marquis of Wen, you retired to the background and did not wield power in the court.]

[The Censorate's intelligence agency was like a sharp blade hanging over everyone's heads; Qian Guan was corrupt and greedy, yet he dared not spend a single penny of it.]

[Soon, the court officials understood the general situation: Qian Guan had been condoning the oppression of the people by wealthy landowners and landlords, who were plundering their wealth. You then went to their door with your sword and arrested him.]

Some people called it making a mountain out of a molehill, some thought Qian Guan was just unlucky, and some were indifferent.

Pang Hai, upon hearing this, had no objections and entrusted the matter entirely to you.

[The intelligence agency's undercover agents gathered complete evidence, combined with the interrogation methods taught by you, the "intelligence master."]

[It directly dismantles the criminal psychologically, causing them to break down.]

[Led by Qian Guan, all the wealthy gentry and landlords involved were uprooted.]

[Debts must be repaid, compensation pursued; lives must be repaid, beheadings displayed in public.]

[This alarmed powerful clans and noble families, who loathedly submitted memorials to the court.]

After the establishment of the State of Chu, those who were originally opposed to the government became founding heroes and new aristocratic families.

[A powerful and influential group that usurped the existing interests.]

[You are now slaughtering wealthy landowners and gentry for the sake of mere commoners; this is utterly incomprehensible.]

This has infringed upon their fundamental interests.

Many ministers, citing reasons such as the Censorate's abuse of power, excessive influence, and lack of oversight, hoped to strip you of your power.

High-ranking officials such as Wei Yuan, Xun Huaixie, Wu Yangui, Bai Guanting, and Zhang Xiuzhi observed the situation with indifference.

[A look of disdain and mockery spread through my mind.]

These people thought they could use political maneuvering to oppose Marquis Wen, but they were unaware of the high regard and trust the King of Chu placed in Marquis Wen.

All the remonstrances were angrily rejected by Pang Hai, whose terrifying aura made the officials feel a tangible killing intent.

This also makes everyone fully realize the truth: your position is absolutely unshakeable.

[Year 45, age 61.]

[Ten years after its founding, the three kingdoms south of the Yangtze River have prospered.]

[You have received intelligence that the states of Qi and Wu are showing signs of expansionist ambitions.]

Now, the three kingdoms of Nancang stand in a tripartite balance, and the six provinces are divided.

[If you want to expand your territory, you either need to wage war against each other, or continue your northward offensive.]

The current situation is that Xiang Che's Qi state is able to launch a northern expedition against Suzhou, and the states of Chu and Wu are separated from Suzhou by no border and cannot intervene.

However, we must guard against the possibility of the State of Chu taking advantage of our weakness during our northern expedition.

The state of Wu was in a similar situation; it wanted to cross the Huai River to attack Huaizhou, but it was also wary of the state of Chu.

Between the three kingdoms, official letters began to be exchanged frequently, and after three months of exchange and discussion, a preliminary agreement was reached.

[It has been decided to send envoys to Xiangyang, the capital of Chu, to discuss specific matters.]

Looking at the list of envoys from Qi and Wu, you're surprised to find some familiar faces.

[The Qi state delegation was led by Grand Commandant Fan Li and Imperial Advisor Pei Qingyu.]

[The Wu Kingdom was led by Chancellor Cao Jin, Gong Si, and Shang Qingdai, the Director of the Imperial Censorate.]

[I haven't seen those three words in a long time. I never imagined that she would still be alive in this life.]

"Am I a jinx to wives? But that doesn't make sense; she married me after she was seriously injured."

You chuckled self-deprecatingly.

It seems that without your influence, Shang Qingdai's intelligence agency is not developing smoothly and is unable to shoulder heavy responsibilities in the war.

This avoids penetrating deep into enemy territory and incurring serious injury.

Now, he is in charge of the Wu Kingdom's Inspectorate, which is equivalent to the Embroidered Uniform Guard and a combination of the Eastern and Western Depots, making him a person of great power and influence.

[You've been away from the court for so long, you rarely visit the Censorate.]

[This time, Pang Hai invited you to attend, and only then did you appear in the welcoming banquet hall.]

[I felt a gaze upon me as soon as I stepped across the threshold.]

Looking in that direction, I met a pair of familiar eyes.

Her eyes were misty, reflecting surprise, joy, and a burning intensity.

[What kind of look is that? Did they retain your memories?]